Bare-knuckle fighting gloves

ABSTRACT

Fighting gloves for the sports of bare-knuckle fitting that can cover the hand except for the fingers, knuckles, and the thumb. The fighting gloves can include a body portion, a wrist portion, and a dividing portion. The body portion has a palm side, a dorsal side, and a hand opening to don the fighting gloves. The body portion has an elongated knuckle opening through which the fingers and the knuckles of the hand can extend out. The dividing portion separates the elongated knuckles opening and a thumb opening. The dorsal side of the body portion can have padding to provide cushioning against an external impact.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from the U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 63/116,835, filed on Nov. 21, 2020, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to fighting gloves, and more particularly,the present invention relates to gloves for bare-knuckle boxing.

BACKGROUND

Bare-knuckle fighting or bare-knuckle boxing is a sport of boxingwithout the use of boxing gloves. Professional bare-knuckle boxing isbecoming popular with more government legalizations. Wyoming in theUnited States, legalize the sport of bare-knuckle boxing on Mar. 20,2018. Players in the sports of bare-knuckle boxing may wear a kind ofhand wrap while boxing to protect against injuries to the softer partsof the hand and to keep fighting for long durations. Such hand wraps areusually made from clothes and provide very limited protection to thehands.

Thus, a need is appreciated for a protective article for hands in thesports of bare-knuckle fighting. A need is appreciated for a utilityarticle for hands that can make the sports of bare-knuckle fightingsafer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodimentsof the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding ofsuch embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of allcontemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key orcritical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any orall embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one ormore embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed tofighting gloves for the sports of bare-knuckle fighting.

It is another object of the present invention that the fighting glovescan protect the soft parts of the hands in fighting.

It is still another object of the present invention that the fightinggloves can make the sports of bare-knuckle fighting safer.

It is yet another object of the present invention that the fightinggloves are economical to manufacture.

It is a further object of the present invention that the fighting glovesare comfortable to wear.

In one aspect, disclosed are fighting gloves for the sports of thebare-knuckle fitting. The fighting gloves can cover the hand except forthe fingers, knuckles, and thumb are exposed. The fighting gloves caninclude a body portion, the body portion can have a palm side and adorsal side. The body portion can include a hand opening for donning thefighting gloves in the hand, an elongated knuckles opening through whichthe fingers and the knuckles of the hand can extend out, and a thumbopening for the thumb. The thumb opening and the elongated knucklesopening can be separated by a dividing portion. In one case, thedividing portion can be attached to the body portion of the fightingglove. Alternatively, the dividing portion can be integral to the bodyportion.

In one aspect, the fighting glove can further include a wrist portionthat can ergonomically encircle around the wrist for support andprotection against shocks and physical impacts.

In one case, the body portion of the fighting gloves can have anelongated V-cut extending from the wrist portion to the palm side. Theelongated V-cut can virtually widen the hand opening, such as thefighting gloves can be easily donned and doffed from the hand. TheV-shape cut can divide the palm side portion of the fighting glove intoa first flap and a second flap. A tightening means can be provided totighten the first flap and second flap. Loosening the two flaps canwiden the hand opening for donning the fighting glove and tightening thetwo flaps can secure the fighting glove in the hand.

In one aspect, the tightening means can be a strap with a hook and loopfastener. The strap can be coupled to one of the two flaps and a freeend of the strap can have a mating member of the hook and loop fastener.The other flap can be provided with another mating member of the hookand loop fastener, wherein the mating member of the strap can befastened to the mating member in another flap for tightening the twoflaps.

In one aspect, a series of eyelets can be provided along a periphery ofthe two flaps. A lace can run across the eyelets of the two flaps,wherein the lace can be tightened to tighten the two flaps and theloosen to loosen the two flaps.

In one case, the dorsal side of the body portion of the fighting glovecan be provided with suitable padding for desired cushioning againstphysical impacts.

These and other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein and thesummary will become readily apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part ofthe specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention.Together with the description, the figures further explain theprinciples of the present invention and to enable a person skilled inthe relevant arts to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a dorsal side of the fighting glove shown donned in the hand,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a palm side of the fighting glove shown in FIG. 1, thefighting glove has a lacing mechanism, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the fighting glove having a strap asthe tightening means, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, andwhich show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments.Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different formsand, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to beconstrued as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forthherein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative.Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matteris intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may beembodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in alimiting sense.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments ofthe present invention” does not require that all embodiments of theinvention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments ofthe invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the”are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that theterms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, whenused herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The following detailed description includes the best currentlycontemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of theinvention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but ismade merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles ofthe invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined bythe allowed claims of any resulting patent.

Disclosed are fighting gloves for the sports of the bare-knuckle gamethat can protect softer parts of the hand against injury by any physicalimpact. The disclosed fighting gloves can ergonomically cover the palm,rear hand, and wrist of the hand while exposing the fingers, knuckles,and thumb. The dorsal side of the fighting gloves can have suitablepadding for cushioning against physical impacts. The wrist portion canencircle the wrist for support and protection.

Referring to FIG. 1 which shows a dorsal side of the fighting gloves 100and FIG. 2 which shows the palm side of fighting gloves 100. FIGS. 1 and2 show the glove donned in a hand 200. In the drawings, the fingers 210,knuckles 220, and thumb 230 can be seen protruding from the fightinggloves 100. The disclosed fighting gloves 100 do not cover the fingers210, knuckles 220, and thumb 230, and the same are exposed for thesports of bare-knuckle fighting.

In one exemplary embodiment, the fighting gloves 100 can include a bodyportion 110, a wrist portion 120, and a dividing portion 130. The bodyportion can have a dorsal side and a palm side, FIG. 1 shows the dorsalside and FIG. 2 shows the palm side of the fighting gloves 100. The bodyportion 110 can have a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the wristportion and the body portion can have a hand opening to don the glove.Opposite the hand opening, at the proximal end, can be an elongatedknuckle opening through which the fingers and the knuckles of the handcan extend out when the fighting glove 100 is donned in the hand. Theelongated knuckle opening can permit the knuckles to extends out fromthe body portion for the sports of bare-knuckle fighting, while the bodyportion can protect the soft parts of the hand in the palm and dorsalsides below the knuckles. The body portion can further include a thumbopening for the thumb to extend out from the body portion. A dividingportion 130 separates the elongated knuckles opening and the thumbopening. The body portion of the fighting glove can ergonomically coverand protect the hand below the knuckles and the area of the hand betweenthe knuckles and the thumb.

The dorsal side of the body portion 110 can have suitable padding 140disposed on an area of the dorsal side of the body portion 110. Thepadding 140 can provide cushioning against external physical impacts. Onthe palm side of the body portion 110 can be seen a V-shape cut 150 thatextends from the hand opening in the wrist portion to the palm side ofthe body portion. The V-shaped cut divides the palm side into two flapsor sides. This widens the hand opening allowing the fighting glove to beeasy to don and doff. A tightening mechanism can also be provided thatallows tightening and loosening of the two flaps. Tightening the twoflaps can secure the fighting glove in the hand and loosening the twoflaps can widen the hand opening allowing the glove to easily don anddoff.

FIG. 2 shows a lacing mechanism to tighten the two flaps. Eyelets 160 orholes can be seen along a periphery of the V-shaped cut. A lace 170 orpull string can run across the two flaps through passing through theseeyelets, wherein the tightening of the lace pulls the two flaps towardseach other. Oppositely, loosening the lace allow the two flaps to moveaway from each other widening the hand opening.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the fighting glove 300 that hasa body portion 305, a wrist portion 310, and a dividing portion 315. Thebody portion 305 can have an elongated knuckle opening 320 and a thumbopening 325. A hand opening 330 for donning the fighting glove. AV-shape cut 355 divides the wrist portion and the palm side into a firstflap 360 and a second flap 365. A tightening mechanism can include astrap 335 that extends from the first flap 360. The free end of thestrap can have a fastener 340, such as a hook and loop fastener. Onemating member of the hook and loop fastener can be provided near thefree end of the strap while the other mating member of the hook and loopfastener can be provided on the second flap 365 or on the wrist portion.The mating member of the strap can be fastened to another mating memberto tighten the strap and thus tightening the two flaps. The matingmember on the strap can be elongated providing a degree ofadjustability.

The disclosed fighting gloves can be manufactured in a range of standardsizes as well as a custom fit. For example, standard-sized commerciallyknown ranges from XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL, and XXXXL. Additionally,the fighting gloves can be manufactured having different weights rangingfrom 3-10 Ounces.

Also, different materials can be used for the manufacture of thefighting gloves, such as leather, cotton, vinyl, polyester, andcombinations of different materials. Synthetic leather such aspolyurethane may be used. Additionally, materials such as acrylic andpolyvinyl chloride, and microfiber, cellulose, including rayon, modal,lyocell, polyamide-nylon, petroleum (PET) or polybutylene terephthalate(PBT) polyester, phenol-formaldehyde (PF), polyvinyl alcohol fiber(PVOH), polyvinyl chloride fiber (PVC), polyolefins (PP and PE), oracrylic polymers, acrylic fiber, carbon fibers and PF fibers, aromaticnylons, such as Kevlar™ and Nomex™. Fibers that have strong bondingbetween polymer chains (e.g., aramids), or extremely long chains (e.g.,Dyneema™ or Spectra™). Elastomers may also be used, e.g., spandex. Thepadding, including the pads of the dorsal side, may be constructed ofcommonly known materials, such as nylon, cotton, foam, rubber, plastic,silicone, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyborosiloxine,ethylvinylacetate, and polyvinylchloride. The padding may also beconstructed as composites or layers of different materials. The specificmaterial and thickness will depend on the amount of impact protectionand the desired rigidity to resist unwanted bending of the wrist. It isunderstood that different parts of the fighting glove can bemanufactures from different materials without departing from the scopeof the present invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The inventionshould therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment,method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fighting glove for a sport of bare-knucklefighting, the fighting glove comprises: a body portion, the body portioncomprising: a palm side, a dorsal side, a hand opening for donning ahand, an elongated knuckle opening configured to permit fingers andknuckles of the hand to extend out from the body portion when thefighting glove is donned in the hand, wherein the body portion does notcover the fingers and knuckles, and a thumb opening configured to permita thumb of the hand to extend out.
 2. The fighting glove according toclaim 1, wherein the fighting glove further comprises a wrist portionconfigured to ergonomically encircle around a wrist of the hand.
 3. Thefighting glove according to claim 1, wherein the dorsal side of thefighting glove further comprises padding configured to providecushioning against an external impact.
 4. The fighting glove accordingto claim 1, wherein a divider portion separates the elongated knuckleopening and the thumb opening.
 5. The fighting glove according to claim4, wherein the divider portion is integral with the body portion.
 6. Thefighting glove according to claim 1, wherein the fighting glove furthercomprises a V-shape cut that extends from the wrist portion to the palmside of the body potion, wherein the V-shape cut divides the wristportion and the palm side into a first flap and a second flap, whereinthe first flap and the second flap configured to widen the hand opening.7. The fighting glove according to claim 6, wherein the fighting glovefurther comprises a lacing mechanism, the lacing mechanism comprises aseries of eyelets along a periphery of the first flap and the secondflap, and a lace runs across the eyelets in the first flap and thesecond flap, wherein the lacing mechanism is configured to be tightenedto tighten the first flap and the second flap for securing the fightingglove in the hand, and wherein the lacing mechanism is configured to beloosen to permit the fighting glove to be donned and doffed.
 8. Thefighting glove according to claim 6, wherein the fighting glove furthercomprises: a strap, the strap has a proximal end and a distal end, theproximal end of the strap coupled to the first flap, and a fastenercomprising a first mating member and a second mating member, the firstmating member coupled to the distal end of the strap, the second matingmember coupled to the second flap or the wrist portion, wherein thefirst mating member is configured to removably fasten to the secondmating member.
 9. The fighting glove according to claim 8, wherein thefastener is a hook and loop fastener.